American Religious History, WWI to the Present

This class is a continuation of the “American Religious History” series that this teacher has taught at MSC and will cover the period from the WWI to present day. Topics will include: the continuity of American religion and the impact of rapidly changing US demographics, the increasing presence and specific contributions of women in religious life, the drive to include non-traditional personal relationships, the spread of religious evangelism powered by radio and, later, television, the increasing political influence of the religious right, and the growth of the spiritualists who stepped forward to take the place of traditional religious institutions.

Required Reading: Martin Marty, Pilgrims in Their Own Land, ISBN 978-0140082685.

Ted Stainman is a retired Air Force Chaplain who has taught this course previously to seniors and to college students in the Academy of Continuing Education and Wesley College.